Apparatus for taking samples from wells



SUM "M14 W. L. CHURCH APPARATUS FOR TAKING SAMPLES FROM WELLS Filed Aug. 31, 1934 7km. 1. MM:

a n z 2 m 7 8 PM a" 9 //c I. 2

4 8 3, 4 5 Z. 7 ll/ 'M 0 4\ 7/ a M U r 7 r J J m m u m a v 2 .5 |.lv I If F0 13 8 4 a 7 z M M 0 8 5 Sept. 8, 1936.

Patented Sept. 8, 1936 PATENT OFFIC APPARATUS FOR TAKING SAMPLES FROM WELLS Walter L. Church, Houston, Tex.

Application August 31, 1934, Serial No. 742,300 8 Claims. -(Ol. 255-1) This invention relates to an apparatus for taking samples from wells.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described specially designed for the purpose of taking samples of the formation of the walls of a well bore and for withdrawing the' samples taken to the ground surface for inspection so as to determine the character of the strata pierced by the bore.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character adapted to be let down into and withdrawn from a well bore by means of a cable or other flexible line.

A still further feature of the invention resides in the provision of an apparatus. for taking wall samples which will be in collapsed or inactive position while being lowered, but which is under the control of the operator to be actuated into active position, when desired, to collect samples of the wall structure and which may be thereupon again collapsed or moved to inactive position for withdrawal.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention has particular relation to certain novel features of construction, operation and arrangement of parts, an example of which is given in this specification and illustrated in the accom- Panying drawing, wherein:-

Figure 1 shows a side view'oi the apparatus shown partly in section, and in active position.

Figure 2 shows a cross sectional view taken on the line 2-4 of Figure 1. I

Figure 3 shows across sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 shows a side viewpf the apparatus partly in section, and in inactive position.

In the drawing the numeral l designates the main body of the apparatus which is preferably cylindrical and whose upper end has an outwardly threaded pin 2 to receive the conventional rope socket 3 to which the lower end of the operating cable 4 is attached. The apparatus is let down into and withdrawn from the well bore by means of this cable which is operated by any suitable equipment at the ground surface designed for the purpose. Attached to the lower end of the body there is a tubular shell 5 within which there is an elongated metal core 6, forming a weight. A cross pin 1 extends through said core. and its free ends work in the vertical side slots 8 of the shell. 3

Suitably fastened to the shell 5 there is a housing ii which encloses the solenoid windings iii. A tubular guide plug ii is screwed onto the lower end of the shell and clo s th lower end grally therewith to which the upper ends of the 10 togglearms i5 are pivoted; The lower ends of these toggle arms I5 are connected'by the toggle links it to the sliding collar ll which is located on the shell beneath the body and which is slidable thereon. The ends of the pins 1 are anchored to this sliding sleeve l1.

The arms I5 have the-pockets l8. These pockets are inclined downwardly and inwardly and they are also contracted downwardly and inwardly as more clearly illustrated in Figure 1.

The outer margins of the lower ends of the blades extend vertically when the device is in active position forming the wall runners I 9 whose upper ends terminate in the cutting or scraping edges 20 beneath the outer ends of the respective pockets. when the apparatus is lowered into the well the circuit through the conductors i 2 is broken by a suitable switch at the ground surface. The core 6 will then be in its lower position with the to cross pin I hanging on the lower ends of the slots 8 and the sleeve I! will move downwardly with the core 6 into its lower position as shown in Figure 4 and the toggle levers IE will thereby be moved into inactive or collapsed position so that they will be clear of the bore walls. When the apparatus is located at the desired place the switch at the ground surface may be closed thereby energizing the solenoid coils iii and the core 6 will be lifted into the positionshown in Figure 1 thus moving the sleeve i1 upwardly and acting through the toggle links it to move the toggle levers i5 outwardly into active position with the runners l9 against the walls of'the bore. The apparatus may then be elevated by means of the cable 4 and the blades or scrapers 20 will penetrate into the wall formation and scrape or shave oii samples of said formation which will be directed into the pockets It. The slime or other liquid matter adhering to the walls of the bore and directed into said pockets will drain out of the pockets at their contracted lower ends but the solid formation will pack in said pockets and be retained therein. The conductor i 2 may then again be broken by opening the switch at the 55 ground surface and the core 6 will then drop collapsing the device and it may then be withdrawn to the ground surface for an inspection of the sample. The conductor l2 and winds in are suitably insulated.

The apparatus may be lowered into the bore and manipulated from time to time so as to take samples of the bore walls throughout any desired area of said walls.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for taking a sample from a well comprising a. supporting structure, sample receiving and retaining means on the supporting structure movable into active, or outer position, and movable into inner or inactive position, said receiving and retaining means having a sample receiving pocket and a deflector arranged to sever a wall sample and direct the same into' the pocket, and electrically operable means under the control of an operator and effective to move the sample receiving and retaining means into said active position.

2. Apparatus for taking a sample from a well comprising a support, a device thereon movable into expanded, or active, position .and also movable by gravity into collapsed, or inactive, position, said device being provided with a sample receiving pocket and a deflector adjacent the pocket, electrically operable means eifective to move the device into active position whereby, upon upward movement the deflector will engage the walls of the well and sever a sample and direct the sample into the pocket.

3. Apparatus for taking a sample from a well comprising a support, means thereon swingable into outer, or active position into cooperating relation with the wall of the well, an electrically operable device under the control of an operator for moving said means into said active position, said means having a sample receiving pocket and a deflector adjacent the outer end of the pocket effective, upon upward movement of the apparatus in the well, to sever a wall sample and direct the sample into said pocket.

4. Apparatus for taking a sample from a well comprising a support, means thereon swingable into outer, or active position into cooperating relation with the wall of the well, an electrically operable device under the control of an operator for moving said means into said active position, said means having a sample receiving pocket and a, deflector adjacent the outer end of the pocket effective, upon upward movement of the apparatus in the well, to sever a wall sample and direct the sample into said pocket, and means affected by gravity for moving said means into inactive position.

5. Apparatus for taking a sample from a well comprising a support, means thereon swingable into outer, or active position into cooperating relation with the wall of the well, an electrically operable device under the control of an operator for moving said means into said active position, said means having a sample receiving pocket and a deflector adjacent the outer end of the pocket eifective, upon upward movement of the apparatus in the well, to sever a wall sample and direct the sample into said pocket, said pocket having a. drain outlet to permit the drainage of liquid from the sample.

6. Apparatus for taking a sample from a well comprising a support, a device thereon movable into outward, or active position, and also movable by gravity into inner, or inactive, position, said device having a sample-receiving pocket and wall-engaging means adjacent the pocket, electrically operable means eflective to move the device into outward position whereby, upon upward movement, the wall-engaging means will sever a sample and direct the same into the pocket.

WALTER L. CHURCH. 

